Blade In the Shadows Comments on self
His training was extensive and very broad, being groomed as an assassin
from a very young age. He learnt the colours to wear so as not to be seen,
and how to move with an almost supernatural grace. An uncanny ability to
master his lessons, and go beyond his master's expectations set him apart
from the rest of the class and many of the other students grew wary of his
abilities.
Very soon he was given the opportunity to complete his training and undertake
the final test. As part of the test a mark was to be found inside a large house
with many guards and traps, simulating a real situation. Because of his unnatural
seeming skills and seemingly supernatural abilities at moving silently, one of the
masters decided he would take the place of the mark to be able to see Tael in
action. The trainee wasn't to kill the mark, merely to have his blade ready
for the kill without being seen.
Within 2 minutes of starting the test, Tael was at the master's throat with his
blade poised for the kill, whispering into his ear, "Brave my master..."
Not a sound had been made, the master had seen no movement, neither had the
observers posted around the room, it was as if he had simply appeared.
The master's had no choice but to grant him his amulet of master assassin,
but were wary from then on, as Tael would not share his secrets, or give
away how he was able to move in such silence without a trace.
Upon completing his first few contracts, he set his price high, but those
who requested his services knew he was unstoppable.
Knowing his abilities, Tael only took the hardest marks, wanting to continually
test himself. One such mark, the king's own mage Gerlensa, had been marked
for death by some who wished to usurp the king's throne. His powers were
not widely known, but he was feared by many, as those who had tried before
had mysteriously disappeared.
Tael infiltrated the mage's room with ease, even sensing a magical trap in the
middle of the room in time to avoid it's affects. Reaching the mage's bedside
he silently drew his dagger and was about to slice Gerlensa's neck when his neck
started tingling and he froze in place. He attempted to fade back to the shadows
but found himself unable to move... Gerlensa grinned as he opened his eyes.
Rising from the bed he strode over to where Tael was paralysed.
"You are foolish...
You have magical abilities to move in the shadows and bend time, but I am a
master of arts far beyond your wildest imaginations... I am 400 years old and
have been growing stronger every day, you are but a whelp... Still, you show
promise, and I like to see youngsters furthering their skills, so I will give you
an opportunity.
I am going to send you far away, but to a place where magic is a little more
common. No longer will your abilities set you far above the average, but you
will meet those whose gifts are equal to your own. You will grow in your power,
learn to use your powers more effectively and maybe even discover new abilities.
Perhaps one day you will learn enough to return, but until that day... seek wisdom"
Gerlensa started an incantation and Tael began to feel uneasy, all of his hairs
began to prickle and stand on end. A sudden feeling of nausea & dizziness overcame
him and he vomited and blacked out as a strange sensation twisted the world
around him.
He woke in a strange cabin, still cloaked in his dark clothes, poisons in their
vials, daggers in their sheaths, but feeling very strange. He slowed time and
faded into the shadows as had been his ability before, and once satisfied that
his abilities were still working, and of his invisibility, he watched and waited...
Now he travels the land seeking to learn of his new home and about those who
inhabit it.